Rangers Advance, Ducks Survive
April 19th, 2008 by Jason CSean Avery is the most hated player in the game, but you can’t help but accept the fact that he is really good at what he does. Martin Brodeur was not sharp for the series and as a result the Devils cleaned out their locker rooms today. While Avery’s antics are frustrating for sure, highlighted by his “unique” way to screen goalies, he was one of the Rangers‘ best players, and I would be surprised if they don’t re-sign him. Personally, I don’t think he did anything wrong waving his arms and stick in front of Brodeur, and I don’t see anything illegal or unsportsmanlike about it. He is an agitator, and that’s his game. Whether you can still perform with a guy like that in your face is a determinant in how distracted you can be as a player. Brodeur was a victim of that. The Rangers are now the second team to advance, needing only 5 games, and are most likely to face the Pens in the next round.
The Ducks survived elimination in Anaheim with a convincing 5-2 win over the Stars, but still trail the series 3-2. The Stars have failed to advance to the second round three straight years and this year could be the end of that woeful streak. Scott Niedermayer played the best game of the entire series, and while he remains one of the league’s best skaters, it isn’t hard to notice that he looked tired at times out there. It’s a consequence of coming back into the season in December when most players are already hitting their stride, but any team would have a 75% Niedermayer than no Niedermayer. The Ducks will have to win in Dallas to force Game 7, and the numbers do work for them - the Stars’ 16 home losses during the season are the most out of any playoff team. JS Giguere was phenomenal in net, turning aside 14 powerplay shots from the most dangerous powerplay in the postseason. Niklas Hagman, who had 27 goals during the season, has yet to record a point.
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